Class 5A state preview
PINE CREEK (23-3, No. 1 seed)
Coach: Ashlynn Smith
Key players: Nikki Glass (junior, 328 kills, 211 digs, 50 blocks, 20 aces), Allie Hoskins (senior, 363 digs, 40 aces), Lindsay Weaver (junior, 183 kills, 68 blocks), Katherine Feldman (junior, 121 kills, 76 blocks)
Last state title: None
Key to winning: Teamwork, a quality that Smith maintains is the Eagles’ biggest strength.
She said it: “Being a first-year coach, this has been a dream come true. We have a great group of players and it’s been a lot of fun.” — Smith
DOHERTY (20-6, No. 8 seed)
Coach: Julie Ortiz
Key players: Taylor Simpson (junior, 366 kills, 252 digs, 66 blocks), Chelsea Szretter (senior, 342 digs, 216 kills, 36 aces, 24 blocks), libero Lauren Tekavec (junior, 401 digs, 42 aces), Kelsey English (junior, 169 kills, 60 blocks, 48 aces)
Last state title: 2003
Key to winning: Ortiz stressed that the Spartans are at their best when they are “playing together and encouraging each other.”
She said it: “I think we have as good a chance as anyone to win.” — Ortiz